Under the Lunar Sky

I just had to.... never before have I seen a Lunar eclipse, so I felt the need to especially make the effort to see this one, considering that an eclipse on the Solstice hasn't happened for a couple hundred years and won't again for a couple hundred years more. I've never viewed a lunar eclipse. It's always been one of those things to add to my life's 'list'. A few years ago on Christmas day I was fortunate to view the Solar eclipse that happened then, but never anything under the night time sky.
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And what a beautiful night. Crisp and clear, and completely bone chilling cold outside. But even more so, me, being frozen by the wildness and ancient thrill of those particular minutes viewing an orb that I have loved for so long. How in those moments I was witness to something spectacular.
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It was hard to turn my gaze away from the strange colors of red and orange. Normally the silver white light leaves that feeling of comfort and familiarity, and with the freshly fallen snow laying low on the ground, the world was one of illumination and brightness in the dark. Then slowly the creeping darkness did come, until almost all was black. Then something amazing, when the world I knew turned into a foreign dream. The feelings of wonderment and apprehension mixing together as the moon became a stranger. Asking it, friend or foe?

Sundays with Fritz-The Case of SANTA!!!!

I guess every year in our town, Santa comes on a big fire truck!!!!!! Mommy said I was sleeping last year when they came, but this year we rushed and hurried really fast to put on shoes and coats from the warm fire place filled house to run outside and see SANTA!!! He even gave me presents! I got a really cool book, and a goody bag with treats too.

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But my question is... why can't he come everyday??

Fritz...signing off.

Wednesday Craft Update-A vase upside down works just as good as a model, right??

Lots of new items in my shop! AND... there is still time to pick up something for a present and have it shipped in time for that special day coming up!! Click on ME and I will take you there!

My little one.

Fritz seems to be growing up too fast these days. Multiple new words spoken every day leading into longer sentences and conversations. Realizing that there is a person called Santa who brings presents. Tasks and chores without Mommy or Daddy's help.

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But I am still holding on to the many giggles and chases around the house, the stories before bed time and the 'hewoo Mommy's that I hear a thousand and one times a day. Keeping these moments of childhood, precious and always in my heart.

Sundays with Fritz-The Case of the 'Woe is me'

Yeah, it's that time of year again. Blah. But luckily I was easily distracted with popsicles! Woot! Woot!

Still feeling it.

That crafty little bug has bit me hard. I've made (almost) 3 cowl scarfs to put in my shop this weekend, well hopefully today. But I am also getting ready for that first run of my new sewing machine! I acquired some Christmas-y fabric a few years ago, always intending to make a runner for my dinning room table, and by golly and all the holly I think I might finally get to it!!
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And I have finally added some scarfs to my shop! My model plans fell through so I had to get inventive. But pictures are taken, now if my camera could stop acting wonky...

Having a bit of retro fun.

It's that time of year again! When taking out the lights for our tree, the Hubs put on his puppy dog face and said "Can we use colored lights this year?". Yuck. I hate anything but white lights for my tree. But, I do have to say that the colored lights I got last year for our deck were, well, pretty. Why not for the tree?

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So with colored lights and colored bulbs and hearts, here it is. One retro, rad looking tree.

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And getting out the rest of the decorations, I wasn't feeling the full blown all-Holiday-in-every-corner-of-your-house-decorated thing, so only a few items actually made it out of the boxes. I have to say, it's kind of nice this way. Nice to have a simple Holiday. We won't be traveling, or having a big family dinner with 30+ people, no stresses, just...simple.

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*My Mom has gotten me a Peanuts or Lucy item every Christmas since I was a Junior in High School. The one time you are the Lucy lead in a Charlie Brown musical and you get to be Lucy for life!! But... I love her!!

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I found this night light last year. Could not pass it up. How fun it is to have this little happy Santa glowing every night until Christmas morning.
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And here is the pies de resistance. The family heirloom. The tree in all my Holiday memories. My Grandparents did not have a very large house. It was really very tiny, so with having no room for a live tree, this silver number was purchased and sat in the corner every year behind the front door. There would be lights or decorations and smaller boxes of presents underneath, but with the simple fact that even though they had no room, they made sure they had a tree for those Holiday celebrations with that part of the family.

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And lastly, but the best part of all... Fritz.

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Happy decorating to all!

Thanks Deer, hello right back to ya...

I'm not too sure what the deer of the neighborhood are really trying to tell me. I kind of feel like I have a crop circle type situation going on. But it was pretty entertaining and surprising to see these letters out in the snow of our front lawn. It does look more like an 'e' and than definitely an 'r', but I do like to think that it is a 'c' for my little wee one's first name connected to mine.
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I thought for sure someone was playing a trick on me (Hubs), but the next day I did see with my own eyes a deer walking through the letter tracks, and yep, they are the same kind!
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Oh deer... how genius you are!

Sundays with Fritz-The Case of the Sad Little Boy

Before the snow came, one day my Papa (Grandpa) came to visit me for a few minutes. He was just stopping by for a short time from doing his errands (?-whatever those are) and I was really excited 'cause I thought he was here to stay! But... sadly no. I only got to see him for a short time and I was not happy about watching him go! Mommy caught my sadness on camera. And yes, I will admit to screaming out the window and tears galore for a half hour or more. Hey, what can I say? I love my Papa!
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Fritz...signing off.

My creative space?

I've been busy getting ready for a Holiday craft show this Saturday (tomorrow!) with not a lot of extra time for blogging or FB. Oh darn, not like it wasn't good for me or anything! My craft boxes (the pink ones on the table) are all packed up and ready to go. Everything is labeled and priced and ready to sell! But I first had to make 5 new bracelets yesterday and finish a scarf or two. ;) Here is one of the bracelets. I made 5 in total and was craving to make more, but knew I didn't have the time. 'Tis ok. In my older years, my left thumb has not been wanting to cooperate with beading as much lately.

Going through the scarf pile, I realized that I have made 12 new ones this year. That's a sad pitiful number for me, but with the hand problems of past and being a bit burnt out, oh well. I will have enough to make my booth look good, so no worries there. But... I do have the craft bug again, so I'm sure that number will be changing fast!

Have a crafty, or just plain fabulous week! I'm sure many out there are in the decorating mood, and we will be joining in on that on Sunday. Can't wait!

***And P.S. ...... I finally did it! I finally got myself a new sewing machine! Is it weird to be so excited about that??

A new one..

After six years of having the same two comforters for our bed, it was time to upgrade. Don't get me wrong, we still love our floral quilt, it's just not very wintry! As in... not warm enough for sure!
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There is something wonderful about one tiny change. A picture here, a vase there. But oh! how I love patterns and design and swirls and ok, everything!

And of course, my little Fritz had to come in and share in the joy of the new bed makings. He's one of those people out to get me with a freshly made bed. ALL roommates I have ever had or family members or friends have had many a laugh at me for one 'quirk' of mine. I despise un-made beds. Yuck. Now that's not saying that I make mine every day or anything. Sometimes there are other important things to be done. Playing robots, or tickling fights, or chasing the kitties around the house. But... when the bed is finally made it needs to stay pretty. And that's where the roommates would get me. They would see my made-up-pretty-as-a-magazine-spread-bed and jump on it and mess things up!!! Oh the horror! Oh the evilness of roommates! However, there were many good laughs, me included. One in particular roommate would mess up my bed nearly every day. For some reason he had a 'sixth sense' about when I was about to or had finished with bed making, and if he was home? Yep. War.

Fritz enjoys torturing me as well. But I let him.

Only because he is the love of my life.

*Do you see Boo pictured in the background? Notice how his ears are down? You guessed right. Boo does not like the little Fritz one bit. Hisses and growls, but I do think that slowly there is some kind of cat/kid understanding going on.

**Don't forget! It's the last day of my Black Friday through Cyber Monday sale! 15% off and FREE shipping! Get your shopping done today!

Wednesday SHOP Update

I have been crafting, of course!, but I will be spending the afternoon tweaking my shop. All items will be

15% off with free shipping!

Doesn't that sound lovely?? This will be a big sale from Black Fridy through Cyber Monday! I will be having sales in December as well, but this weekend will be the best of the season!

Check my shop out here.

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And have a wonderful, happy Thanksgiving!

Sundays with Fritz-The Case of the 1st 2010 Winter Adventure!

I finally get to wear my Kitty hat! Woot! Woot! Helping Daddy shovel the driveway. There is so much snow out here!
I also got to put on my neat Bomber jacket that my Uncle got me. He bought it for me for my first Christmas, but now I can actually wear it! I like it, it's neat!

Happy winter season everybody!!

Fritz signing off... gonna go get my frozen toes warmed up by the fire now!

Open windows, the white stuff, and #305

Such a lovely morning, afternoon we were having yesterday. Such warmth coming from the sun, shinning brightly, but, maybe too brightly?? It's almost Thanksgiving in MONTANA! Hey weather, seriously, what's up? Fresh breezes were filling our house. I figured I would be pushing my luck with the weather, but just had to have that window open. Maybe for the last time in the months to come.
But... later in the early evening, the clouds rolled in and the yellow glow of light turned to blue and gray. Temperature dropping fast, the wind picking up even faster. Nothing happened for awhile. For a few hours, a standstill in the weather world.
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After Fritz was in bed, while picking up the days worth of little kiddo fun, a glance outside and magic! Would it last? Would it snow all night long? Would there be a winter wonderland to see the next day?

Yes. And lots of it! It's still snowing actually! Fritz and I will have to make an adventure out of it soon. It would be loads better, if I could teach a 2.5 month old how to shovel. Not too early for chores, is it?

And finally.... somehow I am on post #305. I had no idea I had that many!

Boo, where are you?

Well hiding of course! During the hours when Fritz is up and about, running crazy all over the house, the cats seem to hide out on my bed. It's funny when all three are sleeping there, then Fritz comes in and thinks he won the kitty jackpot. Although Boo has the right idea. Usually you can't see him at all. He hides behind the pillows on top of two flat pillows (which are now his) and sleeps the day away without being bothered. Much.

Alfie doesn't care much. She sleeps anywhere in the bed always on sleep-high-alert-for-kids-my-eyes-are-always-open-and-I-will-be-watching-for-you. As soon as she hears little feet walking close, she is up and away faster than a speeding bullet. Not kidding either, it's quite funny.

Ahh cats. They make sometimes boring mornings, all that much more interesting.

Wednesday Craft Update-Carrots, Pins, & Scarf carry-me-away-id-ness

Fritz and I spent part of the afternoon trying to weather-strip our windows (I wonder if I will save money this winter??) and peeling, cutting, and blanching a BIG bag of carrots to freeze for future yummy-ness. Cooked carrots are so scrumptious! Although, I didn't really think ahead for tonight's dinner. I guess I should have left a pack out. We did cut up quite a few just to snack on, so I can use those. There is something about the winter months, that makes me feel like cooking more. I'm sure it's the heat in the Summer but in the colder months, I feel more adventurous in the kitchen. There is something so wonderful about adding ingredients together to make your eyes close with delight and your mouth water.
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On the crafty side of me, it has pretty much been all about scarfs. In the past couple of weeks, I have made almost 5? Can't remember the real number but that seems about right. They seem to be all in shades of olive green and dark aqua blue. I noticed that and knew I needed to correct this, so now I am working on a solid cream sc no fringe scarf. Just something plain, but elegant. I have booked a table at a craft fair on the 4th of December, so I need to really get my butt in gear now. Pricing out things, tagging, and making sure I have enough product!
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And up above is a hair pin. I made 3 of these this past summer, and fell in love with how cute they are. A pink one, a tan one and a bright aqua blue one. They all have beads sewn into the middle and all are 'swirls'. On back is a hair clasp sewn on. I want to make a few more and put them in my shop, and someday I will. I swear. No really. I do.

Getting in the mood...A Smile List

• Walking in to stores and seeing decorations and holiday items up for sale.
• After two weeks of the flu and pink eye, Fritz included, finally feeling a bit 'normal'.
• Waiting with crazy anticipation for the first snow. *A few minutes of flakes this morning, but nothing note-worthy*
• Cinnamon-apple smelling candles.
• Crock pot cooking.
• Gloomy gray skies after so much sun.
• Knowing that 2010 is almost over (the hardest year of my life so far) and 2011 is just around the corner, waiting to be a great year.
• Getting in the holiday mood with Christmas music and hot cocoa. *I know I have a box of old candy canes some where... mmmm...crushed up in hot cocoa-nothing beats that!
  

Whats on your list these days?

Sundays with Fritz-One year ago post...The Case of the Bad Hair

I thought it would be funny to revisit my 'Sundays' past and see what I was up to one year ago this weekend! Apparently I was having one serious bad hair day!!! Good thing I have shorter hair now!

Fritz... signing off.

Sundays with Fritz-The Case of the Pumpkin Holiday Weekend

It was fun to pick out my very own pumpkin! There were so many to choose from.

Mommy said if I stuck my head through this hole, I could be a cute, goofy kid. Hmmmm... I think she was right!


I was a little distracted trying to carve the pumpkins with my Daddy and G'pa. I kept wanting to play only with my trains!

And for those who don't know me very well, a little secret about me... I am obsessed with all things trains! Here I am as Thomas the Tank Engine and my Daddy dressed as a serious Boise State University fan. Let's go get some candy!!!!!

Just checking out my goods. Yummy!

I was really surprised to see that even people who were handing out candy were dressed up too! But... we only got to stay out for a while, as soon the rain was pouring down, we left for home.

Now, I am off to sit my butt in front of the TV. Mommy and I have been sick all week, and won't be better for a couple more weeks!

Tootles! Fritz... signing off.

Wednesday Craft Update-New bracelets in the shop!

*Pale Me Pretty*

*Four Times Purple*

*Midnight*

Visit my shop here!

And enjoy a crafty week too!

....

I took a picture of this picture that hung in my room or in my house for almost 15 years. I wanted to remember it, but didn't want to hold on to it anymore. A vacation in the Caribbean, a small Mexican tourist trap, and a painter.
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The fad of the time was to paint works of art with spray paint and use objects (cardboard cutouts, rocks, bowls, anything) to achieve some type of 'scene'. It was amazing to watch a work in process at how quick the artists had become. I'm sure it was more about getting American dollars than the art, but still fascinating.
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After viewing three or four artists around town, I just couldn't quite decide. I had given up on my quest for the perfect picture until the last stop of the day. And there it was. In my favorite colors with a scene that instantly felt 'me'. The paint was still a bit damp, but I wasn't disappointed that I hadn't witnessed the artist making this one. The mystery of how it became was just as important to me as what the painting said to me.
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But over the years, and changes in life, the girl who stared into the painting with wonder and dreams is a completely different person now. No magic anymore could be seen coming through the art. So off it went. Sold to a young lady. But I'm OK with that.
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She can have the dreams and wonderment now.

Sundays with Fritz-The Case of "Do these heels go with my outfit?"

Just wondering.
Fritz signing off...

Waiting

Enjoying the last bits of warm weather. How many more days do we get? It seems that every morning that I see the sun peeking out, I get nervous and a bit sad, but also a bit excited, knowing that snow is just around the corner. It's the weather guessing game.

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And soon, we will trade the light jackets for those snow pants and layers. And instead of warmth, breath misting out when we step into the winter.

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Ok Season of Cold.... bring it on. I'm ready.